Android devices are packed with features to help you navigate your digital life, and one of the most useful is the password manager.
Password managers not only store your login information for seamless login, but also make it easy to create strong, unique passwords for each application or site you use. . This is important because hackers have many strategies for circumventing weak passwords, and reusing passwords can compromise multiple accounts if someone steals your login information.
While we commonly recommend using a high-rated third-party password management service, the advantage of using this service on Android is that it’s free and integrated on your device – you don’t have to buy or buy another app to use it. . . It’s also easy to associate an encrypted password with your Google Account, so your saved registrations will be accessible from anywhere you sign in with your Google Account. Google will also check your passwords and alert you if anything is missing.
How to Enable Google Password Manager on Android
- On your Android device, go to Settings> Privacy> Google Autofill, or use the search box in the settings menu to find Autofill.
- Enable “Use Google Autofill.”
- Make sure you’re signed in to the right Google Account.
- Click “Passwords” in the AutoFill menu list to open the Password Manager menu.
- Click the gear icon in the top right of the settings, then enable “Save passwords” if you want your device to store the login information for the apps you use and the websites you visit in Chrome. Note that Google Password Manager does not store passwords used by other browsing applications, such as Firefox or Edge, although these applications also offer their own password management features.
After enabling these settings, your phone will now set new passwords every time you create new accounts in apps or websites, and keep them safe. However, there are several other optional settings that you can make.
- To make logging in easier, enable “Automatic login” and your phone will automatically enter saved usernames and passwords when prompted.
- For added security, enable “Password Alerts” to be notified when your passwords are found online. It’s like using Have I Been Pwned to check for leaks, but Google always checks for it automatically and notifies you when a login is broken.
How to Manage Stored Passwords with Google Password Manager
After activating Google Password Manager on your device, you can search, view, and edit saved passwords in the Google Password Manager menu. All saved credentials are displayed in a list at the bottom of the screen.
Tap any of the websites or apps in the list to see your account information and the password now stored (you must enter your PIN on the lock screen, password, or fingerprint to access this menu). If you already have one, you can change or delete the saved password information.
Security Checkup
If you receive a password security alert, or if you want to check the strength of each saved password, go to Settings> Privacy> Google Autofill Service> Passwords and select “Check passwords” to open the password checker. On the next screen, tap “Check passwords” and then follow the instructions.
Export Password Data
You can export password information from Google Password Manager under Settings> Privacy> Google Autofill Service> Passwords> Settings> Export Password. Creates a file with your passwords that you can import into another service, such as 1Password, or use as a backup for offline storage.
Autofill Personal Information, Payment Info and More
Although Android phones are not strictly bound to Google Password Manager, they can store and automatically fill in many other useful personal information, such as your name, birthday, and gender; the addresses of your home, workplace or frequently visited places; and payment methods such as credit card numbers or Google Pay. You can enable these features and edit all your saved information in Google Settings> Privacy> Autofill.